Strictly’s Brendan Cole ‘horrified and bemused’ after being declared dead in news report

Brendan Cole has been laid low by a chest infection – putting the stoppers on his rehearsals with Anastacia (Picture: BBC)

Good news, everybody. Strictly stalwart Brendan Cole might be a bit poorly with a chest infection, but he’s still very much with us.

However that didn’t stop one website from reporting that the 40-year-old had actually died as a result of his illness – something which Brendan himself was shocked to learn.

The report, from a website called CNN Channel (as opposed to the actual CNN) suggested that Brendan had passed away early on Thursday morning as a result of his chest infection – although the dancer later reassured his fans by actually sharing the post on his own Twitter page.

However doctors subsequently ordered him to rest up – leaving fellow pro Gorka Marquez, who previously partnered Tameka Empson, to step in and rehearse this weekend’s quickstep with Anastacia.

Brendan has since said that he will know by today whether he is fit to perform in Saturday night’s show.

‘If the antibiotics do their job and I do have the appropriate rest, we can make a decision on Friday as to whether I can take part in this weekend’s Strictly or not!’ he said in a statement on his website.

Decision to be made today… I will update statement later today! Thank you